Emerald™ is the first Enterprise KVM Extension and KVM Matrix Switching solution that delivers pixel-perfect video with 2K/HD or 4K/60 resolutions over an IP network, a proprietary direct connection or both.

The flexible and scalable system supports any number of workstations and servers. In addition, it simplifies virtual access, making it easy for you to use any combination of physical and virtual servers.

User’s working on the system experience fast and easy-to-use access to their target servers with premium video quality and a rich peripheral set supporting stereo audio and up to any four true emulated USB 2.0 devices including Wacom® tablets. Administrators will like the comprehensive management with convenient configuration options in line with a high-level security and reliable operation.

An Emerald KVM network may start small, but it’s infinitely scalable to meet your expansion needs and future technology path just by adding endpoints, with no additional chassis or cards required.

System Design
Emerald comprises of a choice of transmitters connecting computers or virtual machines to the system and receivers adding the user consoles. High performance Emerald network switches ensure trouble-free KVM over IP extension and switching connections, while Emerald KVM Switches with 24- or 48-ports allow convenient direct connect matrix switching. A range of SFP/SFP+ transceivers proofs best performing video quality and KVM extensions over the required distances.

Emerald KVM over IP Matrix Switches
The Emerald KVM over IP Matrix switches featured on this page allow you to create a free configurable and scalable KVM over IP Switching and Extension system through CATx or Fibre connections. Choose from three models depending on the number of Emerald endpoints and video requirements.
EMS1G-48 is designed for Emerald 2K systems featuring 48 RJ45-ports with 10/100/1000Mbps standard speeds. The switch has also four SFP+ 10G fibre uplinks for maximum flexibility and investment protection.
The10G switch EMS10G-28 is designed for Emerald 2K/4K high-speed connections. This switch provides 28 SFP+ slots with 1/10 GbE speeds that can auto-detect device attached standard or high-speeds and two ultra-speeds (100GbE) SFP+ cascade ports. The switch complies with IEEE10588v2 and incorporates VXLAN gateway to support for bridging and routing non-virtualized and virtualized overlay networks with line-rate performance.
For large application, choose the ultra-speed model EMS100G-32 model featuring 32 SFP+ slots for 10/25/40/50/100GbE. Up to 6.4 Tbps of full duplex switching bandwidth are available. The switch supports scalable L2 and L3 Ethernet switching with QoS and a full complement of Standard based IPv4 and IPv6 features including OSPF and BGP routing. Multipath is supported via virtual link trunking (VLT) and multiple VLT (MVLT) multi-chassis link aggregation technology. VRF-LITE enables sharing of networking infrastructure and provides L3 traffic isolation across tenant. An open automation framework adds automated configuration and provisioning capabilities to simplify the management of network environments. 128 link aggregations groups with up to eight members from group use enhanced hashing. A power efficient operation up to 45°C helps to reduce cooling costs in temperature-constrained deployments.

Instant access across the whole Enterprise
Emerald makes your migration painless, enabling you to scale access infinitely and gradually across buildings, campuses and the wide area network, using your existing network infrastructure—with switching between sources at speeds of less than half a second.

Digital video at its best
Emerald is the first KVM platform that supports pixel perfect 4K DisplayPort video at 60 Hz over standard IP network switches AND direct connections with proprietary copper or fibre cable. Image transmission with mathematical lossless compression visualizes every single pixel at 60 fps with 10-bit color depth. Not ready for 4K yet, start with the Emerald 2K options-supporting one or two full HD DVI channels with resolutions up to 1920x1200-and migrate to 4K at your own pace by transitioning individual user groups when need arises.

Virtualisation
More and more physical server are being replaced by virtualisation allowing better performance, availability, scalability and return on investment. Emerald simplifies access to both physical and virtual servers with virtual machine support for VMware, Microsoft and Citrix, using RDP, RemoteFX and PCOIP, among others.

Fail-safe operation
All Emerald transmitters and receivers feature copper or fibre connectivity through two flexible SFP+ slots.
Your 24/7 operation requires network resilience. Use the redundant network ports on the Emerald units to provide continuous, uninterrupted operation in the event one network experiences loss of service. Connect the endpoints either through two alternative direct links, a direct link and a network connection or two independent networks.

Network Requirements
For HD video, Emerald requires a standard Gigabit Ethernet network and possibly a 10 Gigabit aggregate switch, depending on how many endpoints you have. For 4K video, you’ll need a standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet network with a 100 Gigabit aggregate switch. For both, the network infrastructure required by Emerald can be built with IEEE 802.3 standards-based components from Black Box or other manufacturers.

Direct Connect Matrix Switches
Emerald 2K requires our Standard speed switches (EMX1-48) and may require a high speed (EMX10-28) Matrix switch as an aggregate switch depending on number of endpoints. For 4K video you will need the high speed Matrix switch and may need our Ultra speed Matrix switch (EMX100-32) depending on the number of endpoints you wish to connect.

Management
Emerald supports multiple ways to control the system: via the receiver’s OSD, X-keys, or external control system such as Boxilla™-our centralized KVM Manger. Emerald in combination with Boxilla enables timesaving, controllable presets and multi-user settings. You can also pool designated CPU resources, allowing for user selection by type of server/PC/desktop rather than by individual dedicated resource. Even more important, you can prepare for instantaneous recovery from disasters with one-click access to an entire backup control room in a different location. The KVM main control room configuration can be replicated anywhere you have a network connection.

Integration with other KVM Systems
Emerald works flawlessly with these popular Black Box KVM product families:

DKM proprietary, direct-connect KVM system

Freedom II Multi-Monitor Switch with Glide-and-Switch technology

InvisaPC™ for access to physical and cloud-based virtual servers over IP

ControlBridge™ our system for one-touch, multisystem control

Boxilla™ KVM manager

Download the EMERALD BROCHURE to get a detailed insight how you operation can benefit from Emerald.